By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
In a momentous tribute to resilience, heritage, and historical legacy, His Royal Highness Jeroboam Yah Nii Armah Blackwell, professionally known as “Yahu Blackwell,” was honoured at the African American Civil War Museum (AACWM) on November 8, 2024.
An Osu GaDangme American, Yahu Blackwell has recently been installed as the Osuman Lumor, a position in the Osu Monarchy that underscores his status as a royal descendant with deep historical ties.
Representing the Osu GaDangme community, Blackwell hails from the House of Adu Kpono We in Kinkawe quarters and is recognized as the first descended from the Osu GaDangme lineage that endured the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
His installation was officiated by the Osu Djaaze chair and the Wulomo of the Osu Klottey Shrine, establishing him as a figure who oversees the global political, social, and military interests of the Osu Monarchy.
The ceremony at the AACWM held special significance as it not only honored Blackwell’s heritage but also celebrated his great-great-grandfather, Royston Austin Blackwell, who was inducted into the museum.
This induction was conducted by Dr. Frank Smith, marking Royston Blackwell’s legacy within the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) and as part of the museum’s mission to honor the 200,000 African American soldiers and allies who fought for the Union during the American Civil War.
Royston Blackwell’s life story reflects both adversity and triumph. Born into slavery on December 18, 1833, in Northumberland County, Virginia, he escaped bondage during a Union Army raid on May 15, 1864. He fled to Baltimore, where he joined the Revenue Cutter Service (R.C.S.) on September 5, 1864, serving on the steamer Tiger as it patrolled the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River.
He eventually earned a Navy pension, honoring his service in the R.C.S., the precursor to today’s U.S. Coast Guard.
The African American Civil War Museum, located in Washington, D.C.’s U Street district, serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions of the USCT and other military divisions that stood united against oppression. Established by the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation, the museum pays tribute to over 200,000 African American soldiers, along with thousands of white and Hispanic allies and Navy sailors, who took part in the Civil War to secure freedom.
Yahu Blackwell’s presence at the museum, alongside Washington’s leading embassy officials, commemorated a luminous legacy that emerged from one of history’s darkest chapters.
As the Osuman Lumor, Blackwell is not only a custodian of his ancestors’ stories but also a bridge between African heritage and the African American experience—a poignant embodiment of the enduring strength and unity that connects these communities across time and continents.
